Abari Game Bar in NoDa Closes Due To COVID-19
A popular arcade bar, and one of my personal favorites, closed their doors for the last time a week ago due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The bar originally opened back in 2016 and was forced to shut its doors when the stay-at-home orders were originally issued back in March.
The owner, Zach Pulliam, ditched his IT corporate job to fulfill his dream of operating an arcade. He bootstrapped roughly $200,000 to open Abari, pulling funds from his 401(k), savings and a small-business loan. He even sold his collection of original Nintendo games to offset the rest.
He says would have tried to hold on longer, but a call from his landlord changed that this week. His building at 1721 N. Davidson was under contract to be sold; his lease would not be renewed. Which of course means a building filled with character will most likely be demolished for something else.
Abari was my favorite arcade bar. They had the best arcade game of all time called “Foiled!” which was a pilot location for the game creators. This was a place that held a special place in my heart and will certainly be missed.
Source: Charlotte Business Journals
